This first HD photo shows a stone statue depicting Saint Genevieve that was produced between the years of 1837 and 1841 where it was positioned within a niche on the western facade of the Madeleine church in Paris.

Here you can see a close up showing some of the detailing that went into portraying Saint Genevieve, which was sculpted by Auguste Hyacinthe Debay, who was born in Nantes in 1804 and followed in his fathers footsteps to become a French sculptor.

Incredibly, Auguste Hyacinthe Debay, sometimes spelt De Bay, entered to Ecole des Beaux Arts at the age of 13 initially studying painting, which gained him several medals and the Prix de Rome, but many of his statues and sculptures can be found at tourist attractions in Paris including one of the fountains at the Place de la Concorde, the Fontaine Saint Michel plus The Louvre along with different churches.

Here you can see the name inscribed on the pedestal at the base of the statue of Saint Genevieve, and born in Nanterre she moved to Paris dedicating herself to a Christian life and according to stories she is said to have saved Paris, by diverting Atilla and the Huns away by persuading people to stay at their homes and pray.

In Roman Catholic traditions Saint Genevieve became the Patron Saint of Paris and dying in 512 her feast day is 3rd January, and there are many reminders of this saint in the city, plus her tomb can still be seen within one of the churches, yet her relics were destroyed during the French Revolution.

However, this photograph shows the location of the Saint Genevieve statue positioned within one of the niches on the north western portico of the Eglise de la Madeleine, so when you are looking at this facade from the Place de la Madeleine, it is to the left hand side of the entrance.

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